Angel Reese welcomes WNBA action after Sandy Brondello comment
The WNBA suspended Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello one game after a remark about Angel Reese during Friday’s game.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Angel Reese said she is thankful the WNBA acted after Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello used language the league described as inappropriate during Friday’s game.
The league suspended Brondello for one game after the Tempo’s 112-92 loss to the Atlanta Dream, ESPN reported. Brondello is scheduled to serve the ban Monday when Toronto hosts the Las Vegas Aces.
The moment came after Tempo player Nyara Sabally was injured following contact with Reese. As Brondello spoke to officials, she could be heard using the phrase “protected species” about Reese, according to ESPN. Sabally was called for the foul on the play.
Reese responded on X after the game, tagging Brondello and writing, “ARE WE SURPRISED?!” along with a clown face emoji.
Speaking Saturday, Reese said she appreciated Brondello’s apology and the support she had received over the previous 48 hours. She also said she was grateful the league had stepped in.
“There is no place for discrimination or hate in this league from anyone, from fans to coaches to players,” Reese said, according to ESPN. She added that she wanted the league to remain positive and for players to focus on basketball.
The WNBA, in announcing the discipline, said it expects players and staff to meet high standards of professionalism and respect, ESPN reported.
Brondello apologized to Reese on X on Saturday. On Sunday, she told ESPN she had contacted Dream general manager Dan Padover after the game in an effort to reach Reese.
Brondello said the remark was made in an emotional moment after Sabally was hurt and said it was a phrase commonly used in Australia. She told ESPN the comment was not aimed at Reese personally and said she had respect for her.
“I know I’m not racist, so it’s a really unfortunate situation,” Brondello said, according to ESPN. She said she wanted to apologize whenever Reese was ready and added that she had reached out through Reese’s organization.
Brondello, who is from Australia and has coached the Australian national team since 2017, told ESPN she should have paused and considered the setting in the United States, where she acknowledged racism is a major issue. She said she had spent 27 years in the WNBA and had learned from Black players she coached and worked with.
Multiple native Australians told ESPN the phrase “protected species” is used in Australian sports to complain that a player is being treated differently by officials. ESPN also noted that in American culture, language suggesting a person is not human has been used in derogatory ways toward Black people.
Reese, who is set to play in her third All-Star Game next week, said Sunday that speaking up matters when incidents happen.
“If you want change, you have to speak on it,” Reese said, according to ESPN. “You don’t let things just slide.”
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.